Volunteering questions and answers

Where can I volunteer?
Volunteering NSW (VNSW) can put you in touch with a wide range of opportunities in not-for-profit organisations across the Greater Sydney area. To find volunteer positions in regional NSW, we can refer you to your nearest volunteer resource centre.

What kind of work can I do?
Almost any. From healthcare to bookkeeping, office administration to public relations, crowd control to computer programming, construction to community work, child care to community visiting.

Do I have a choice about where I volunteer?
Absolutely. VNSW aims to match your interests and skills with the specific requirements of different not-for-profit organisations. You'll be consulted about where you'd prefer to work as a volunteer. We'll also talk to you about the skills, interests, values or ambitions that you'd like to match with your volunteering opportunities.

How long do I have to commit for?
It's your choice. Your commitment to a particular volunteer position depends entirely upon your circumstances, interests, and the length of time your volunteer position is available for.

How much time do I need to give?
You can volunteer at any time of the week, day or night. While most volunteering takes place during office hours, you can volunteer at evenings and weekends too, depending on what you want to do. Typical volunteer opportunities outside office hours include: mentoring and tutoring, campaigning, environmental work, and sports. Virtual volunteering provides flexible opportunities to volunteer online.

Are there age restrictions?

Anyone can volunteer but there may be age requirements depending on the type of volunteer role. Some not-for profit organisations have a policy of not involving volunteers under (or over) a certain age. There are many ways of getting involved such as running your own project, organising a fundraising event or advocating for an issue you believe is important. Insurance is often cited as a reason for not involving younger volunteers, however, many insurance companies offering voluntary workers accident insurance do not specify a bottom age limit when it comes to volunteers.

Can people on tourist visas volunteer in Australia?

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has updated it's website (current February 2010) where it concerns volunteers, below we have provided the latest information. Generally speaking if a person's visa allows them to do paid work then they would automatically be able to volunteer. The only visas that need checking are those visas where paid work is not allowed. (Take a look at some of the more uncommon types of visas.)

In general terms, you may be able to work as a volunteer whilst on a Tourist visa if:

• Your main purpose in visiting Australia is tourism, and any voluntary work remains incidental to this.
• The work involved would not otherwise be undertaken, in return for wages, by an Australian resident.
• The work is genuinely voluntary and that no remuneration is received in return for the activities.

Note: It is acceptable, under the conditions of the Tourist visa, to receive meals, accommodation and/or reimbursement of out-of-pocket living expenses in return for voluntary work. For further information, visit www.immi.gov.au

Can I volunteer with my family or friends?
Some volunteering opportunities are available for groups – though there's more choice available for individuals. Examples of volunteering where two or more people can easily join together include: door knocking appeals, bush-care and fundraising. Check with VNSW about the group volunteering opportunities that are currently available – especially Event Volunteering.

Do I need experience or qualifications?
This depends entirely on the role. Attitude and experience are very important. Some volunteer roles require specific job skills or qualifications, while others ask only for a willingness to learn. Opportunities in education, social work, and health care exist even for those without formal training in these areas.

I work full time - can I volunteer?
Yes, there are many volunteer opportunities that do not require you to be available during "normal" office hours. One of the best things about volunteering is that it can be done at a time that best fits with your lifestyle. As well as on-going opportunities, Volunteering NSW offers you the chance to volunteer seasonally, intermittently, or for one-off occasions.

Many organisations would love to find volunteers that are able to volunteer evenings, nights and/or weekends. Some examples of out of office hours volunteering include: campaigning, telephone counselling services and help lines, working with homeless people, mentoring, environmental and sports.

Will I be interviewed? What will they ask me? What can I ask them?
There is a set procedure for all volunteers interviewed by VNSW. The interview process gives you, and the organisation, a chance to assess each other and an opportunity to ask questions. It is important to ensure that you are well-matched to a volunteer opportunity.

A typical interview may include any of the following:

• Why you are interested in volunteering?
• What sort of voluntary work are you interested in?
• What skills do you offer?
• What new skills would you like to learn through your volunteer work?
• How much time you have to offer?

You can ask them anything that you want to know, including:

• Does the organisation cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses?
• Are there any training opportunities?
• What is the scope of the role?
• What support and supervision are available from your volunteer coordinator or manager? (It's important to have someone you can talk to regularly about how you are getting on.)
• Am I covered by the organisation's public liability and personal accident insurance policies?

Do I need references?
Some organisations require references or referee contact details – these vary depending on the volunteer role. Before referring you to a particular volunteering opportunity, we'll talk to you about any references or referee contact details that the organisation requires.

Do I need a background check?

Only some volunteer roles with vulnerable people, e.g. elderly, children and people with a disability, can require background checks such as police checks, volunteer declarations or working with children checks. The type of check depends upon the volunteer role; you'll be advised if a check is required to undertake the role.

Working with children

All volunteers working with children need to sign a Volunteer Declaration and recent changes to Working with Children Checks mean some volunteers need to be checked. For more information read the section on Working with Children.

Police Checks for Aged Care Volunteers
 

Volunteers	Police Check Required?
Volunteers visiting care recipients under the Community Visitors Scheme	YES
Volunteers organised by the approved provider who are reasonably likely to have unsupervised access to care recipients	YES
Volunteers organised by the approved provider who only have supervised access to care recipients (for example, someone helping with activities when staff are present)	NO
Volunteers who are under the age of 16 or full-time students under the age of 18	NO
Anyone invited by a care recipient to visit them in an aged care home (for example, family and friends)	NO

Source: Department of Health and Ageing

I've been referred to an organisation. What happens next?
Most organisations will want to conduct a further interview. This gives you and the organisation the chance to assess each other. In addition, it gives you the chance to get a feel for the organisation, and sometimes the opportunity to meet the people you'll be working with.

What happens if I start volunteering but I decide to leave?
You're under no obligation to keep a volunteer position that you're unhappy with. To see if your issues can be addressed, talk with your supervisor, manager, or volunteer coordinator – before you give an appropriate amount of notice that you're leaving your voluntary role. Also, you can ask Volunteering NSW for support with the problem; or we can help you find another role.

Most organisations have a grievance procedure. If you feel strongly that something should be done to address the situation, access this process to seek a resolution.

What can I do afterwards?
The skills and experiences that you gain while volunteering are often very useful for careers and life generally. The skills and experiences may enhance your resume. Many organisations will also provide you with a reference. Many people use volunteering to road-test a new career or to secure paid employment; others find the experience valuable for personal reasons.

I'm interested in volunteering overseas. Can you help me?
We can provide information and refer you to organisations that deal with volunteering overseas. See our useful links section to find out more.

Will volunteering cost me anything?
It does not cost anything for individuals to volunteer. Organisations providing volunteer opportunities may be able to reimburse minor expenses, such as travel. Out of pocket expenses must be agreed by the organisation and might include: travel, meals purchased whilst volunteering, special clothing etc. It is a good idea to enquire about expenses you may incur before committing to a volunteer role.

Not-for-profit organisations often require information, infrastructure, and training to properly manage their volunteers – this is provided to them as part of The Centre for Volunteering's membership fee.

More questions
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